Russian pilot tried to shoot down RAF surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea in 2022 because he believed he had permission – but his missile missed

A Russian pilot tried to shoot down an RAF surveillance plane over the Black Sea because he mistakenly thought he had permission, it has emerged. 

The pilot of the SU-27 fighter jet fired two missiles at the RAF aircraft on September 29 last year, with Russia claiming the missile had malfunctioned.

Britain’s then defence secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament that two Russian jets had ‘recklessly’ come within 15ft of the RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint, which has a crew of up to 30. 

Russia’s defence…